Scribbler Subscription Box Review – January 2019

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Scribbler is a monthly subscription box for writers—especially novelists and aspiring novelists—created by bestselling authors Victoria Scott and Lindsay Cummings. It’s filled with items to help novelists stay motivated while writing, improve their crafts, and connect with the right publishing professionals.

This box was sent to us at no cost for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

About Scribbler

The Cost: $29.99 a month + shipping. Save with 3 and 6-month subscriptions.

The Products: A monthly writing theme, a new release fiction novel, a collectible “writing passport” from the featured author, curated writerly gifts, and an invitation to communicate with a publishing professional (for example, an exclusive YouTube chat).

Ships to: U.S. for $7.99, Canada for $23.99, and worldwide for $33.99 (shipping not available to Mexico and Peru)

Scribbler January 2019 Volume 11 Box Review

This month’s writing exercise was to write our three biggest writing goals for 2019. Then, we keep it safe until December, when we see whether we’ve fulfilled them or not! Deciding and writing down or resolutions and goals is one thing but saving them to see if we’ve done them is something I should have done, but never got to. Thanks to Scribbler, I’m finally doing it!

With the freezing cold weather that’s been happening here in VA, I’m more than happy to receive a beanie bag to keep my head warm. It’s one of those that gives you extra room at the top, or you can pull it all the way down to warm your ears 😊 I love the typewriter logo/accent!

Scribbler Exclusive Notebook – Estimated Value $4

It’s a cute notebook, protected with a binder-like fold. It’s perfect to drop into your bag and pull out if you think of any ideas! I’m using it to jot down any art project and poetry ideas I think of during my bus rides.

Writers Gonna Write Sticker – Estimated Value $1

This is a cute sticker—but it’s quite large, so I’m not sure where I’ll place it yet! It’s simple, with colorful words, and motivates us to write!

Whiteboard + Marker – Estimated Value $5

A whiteboard is perfect for brainstorming a storyboard for jotting down quick ideas when you pass by the board. The marker has an eraser attached, conveniently, and fits nicely in the pen holder. The back of the board is magnetic, so I’m sticking it on my refrigerator.

Evelyn Skye writes a fantasy novel that involves gods and a divided empire, with magical warriors fighting to their sworn master. The main characters, Sora and Daemon, are the top warriors in their graduating class, in an academy where students are trained to become the Empress’s sworn warriors. The dark prince, the supposedly dead brother of the Empress, is rising to challenge his sister, using mind control to recruit members.

Sora and Daemon first spy, then fight the prince with the remaining warriors (at a disadvantage, since the prince’s side has more powerful magic than the warriors). Sora has a personal battle with the prince, as he was responsible for a nursery fire that burnt her sister, and Daemon’s mysterious past is hinted near the end of the book.

The magic and sorcery in the book are quite strong (I do wish the magic/power system was elaborated more), and the fight scenes are intricately detailed. Having read so many fantasy books at a younger age, the plotline was predictable, but Skye created an enjoyable story nonetheless with excellent pacing and a well-developed fantasy world.

Scribbler dropped in a special autograph from Skye! I’m sticking it on the inside cover 😊

This month’s passport theme was on writing fantasies. The first page is always a note of advice from the box creators, Victoria Scott and Lindsay Cummings. I do agree with them in saying fantasy is one of the hardest genres to write, especially avoiding clichés.

The passport also includes advice from the featured author. Skye gives her own experience as a writer, how she detailed her basic outline of a fantasy story, and specificities on special powers of characters and progress of her work.

The back of the passport booklet always includes a quote from the founders.

Publishing Process Inside LookCircle of Shadows

I really appreciate Scribbler’s inclusion of these publishing processes. Aspiring writers (myself included) are unfamiliar with the process. This month’s process shows the inside look on a deleted scene. Many times, writers become attached to their writing and are reluctant to cut scenes and details suggested by editors. But after removing them, the book goes quicker and runs more smoothly.

It was so interesting to see the deleted scenes as well as Skye’s comments explaining content details and character changes.

Also included is a signed poster by Victoria Scott for her upcoming release We Told Six Lies. From the reviews I’ve read, the book is an incredibly tense, tricky, and has a mesmerizing storyline—the blurb is quite chilling, as well!

Remember how many lies we told, Molly? It’s enough to make my head spin. You were wild when I met you, and I was mad for you. But then something happened. And now you’re gone.

But don’t worry. I’ll find you. I just need to sift through the story of us to get to where you might be. I’ve got places to look, and a list of names.

The police have a list of names, too. See now? There’s another lie. There is only one person they’re really looking at, Molly.

Scribbler always includes an invitation to chat with a publishing professional. This time, it’s to chat with executive editor, Kristin Rens. The back of the invitation card includes an introduction of the editor, her experience as a publishing professional, and her current works.

The Verdict:This was my first Scribbler box, and I’m impressed! I love the curation—the experience given is such a large part of the value. The editing process was so interesting to learn about, the invitation to talk with a publishing professional and the cute writing materials to help motivate while writing was a very special experience.

This box cost $29.99 + $7.99 = $37.98. I estimated a retail value of $41.99, which doesn’t include the publishing process, invitation to author conversation, and two autographs. A large part of the box’s value is the experience it creates, so January’s box totally exceeded the value!

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will receive the March box. The last day to order a box is the 10th of every month unless sold out prior to that date (there are limited quantities). If you order after the 10th, it will be for the following month.

Value Breakdown: This box costs $29.99 + $7.99 shipping, which means that each of the 6 items in the box (not including the book-themed extras) has an average cost of $6.33.

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Nicole is an avid lover of all things food, skincare, and fashion! Her hobbies include gardening, attending her art studio, and traveling. She fell in love with subscription boxes after her first Ipsy because of the surprise ad variety of products to receive.